A Musical in 2 Acts, Beyond the Last Battle unites characters from The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz in a new adventure where the forces of good and evil are once again pitted against each other.

White Rabbit: I’m late. I’m awfully late. A storm approaches and I fear that something dreadful is in the wind. Oh! Dear me! I warned her�? I warned her! She didn’t listen and now I’m late. Well, whatever happens, it isn’t my fault. I did warn her!

(Rabbit exits stage right. Reepercheep enters stage right.)

Reepercheep: What a strange fellow! He appears a little unstable…a sandwich short of a picnic. (Caspian enters stage left.) Ah! Sire! Did you happen to see the stranger with the pocketwatch? Me thinks he is not Narnian but from some other foreign land. Perhaps he is from the world of man.

Caspian: Dear Reepercheep. He is one who has frequented the world of man in times past. And I fear that he brings grave news.

Reepercheep: Grave news, Sire?

Caspian: Yes, Reepercheep! Prepare yourself for battle. Inform the friends of Narnia that their help may be needed�? their help, and I fear, their lives. I shall enter the world of men through the wardrobe and inform their majesties that they are needed. Meet with me there as soon as you are done.

Reepercheep: (Grasping the hilt of his sword) In Aslan’s name Sire, my sword is yours. I go to make ready, but don’t you think that this is a little bit over the top? I mean, to arm ourselves for battle over the ravings of a White Rabbit.

Caspian: Remember Reepercheep. The rabbit is a visitor to the world of man. I fear he has knowledge of a great evil emanating from there, and remember also Reepercheep�? The high Kings and Queens of Narnia are also from the world of man. Prepare dear friend. Make haste!

Reepercheep: (Bowing) By your leave, Sire!

(Exit Reepercheep stage Left.)

Caspian: In Aslan’s name, I pray that we are not too late. Now where is that rabbit? (Exit stage right.)

Lucy: Do you remember what you said on the train that day Edmund? You know, the day we left London.

Edmund: Of course I do! I said, "Nothing ever happens in the country." How wrong can a person be? Now make sure that you spell Reepercheep’s name correctly on his invitation - you know how sensitive he can be.

Lucy: Well you’ve certainly made an art form out of being wrong. I mean, I still get a chill running down my spine every time I think of you and that horrid White Witch. Pass me the glue and scissors please.

Edmund: Here! (Passing the glue and scissors and placing invitations in envelopes. Edmund gets up and walks around dreamily) Do you know I still get the feeling that she is sometimes watching us. That she is somewhere quite close.

(Lights flicker. Enter Susan carrying a book.)

Lucy: Susan you startled us! (Approaches Susan centre stage) Edmund and I were just talking about the Witch as you came in and now there seems to be something wrong with the lights.

Edmund: (Looking out of the window apprehensively) Looks like a storm coming. I can see the rain in the distance. And lightning!

Susan: Lucy, Edmund, have you noticed anything strange -you know- out of the ordinary?

Edmund: (Approaching sisters centre stage) Well, besides the fact that Lucy captured my queen in only five moves and is currently planning the annihilation of my white army - no! What do you mean Susan?

Lucy: Yes! What do you mean Susan?

Susan: Your white queen has been taken? Where is she now? What have you done with her?

(Looking frantically over the captured chess pieces.) She’s not here Lucy! Where did you put her?

Lucy: What are you ranting about Susan? And why do you refer to a chess piece as if it were a real person…a real queen? (Also looking for the missing queen.) I put it right here in the box. But it’s gone. How odd!

Edmund: What are you two going on about? How can a chess piece simply disappear? It’s got to be there. I saw you put it in the box Lucy. I still can’t believe you actually captured it in five moves.

Susan: (Front of stage. Gazing out fearfully above the audience) She’s gone!

Lucy: Don’t be so dramatic Susan. It’s bound to turn up. Perhaps it’s hiding under this mess.

Susan: (Directing Edmund and Lucy to the table) Sit down both of you and take a look at this. (Susan shows the children the book she has been carrying.) I was reading this book of children’s classics when all of a sudden the writing blurred and when I gave my eyes a rub, thinking that perhaps it was a problem with my own vision, the writing simply disappeared. (Approaches front centre stage) But the strange thing is……�?. that only Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz have vanished�? All of the other stories remain unaffected. They’re still in the book!

Edmund: What do you think that has to do with the missing chess piece Susan?

Susan: Surely, you of all people should know about the power of the White Queen Edmund! The White Witch? She’s back! Well at least she was. She’s been here all the time, hiding as a chess piece here in our own house. Now she has made her move and she seems to be summoning others to help her this time�?those from Oz and others from Wonderland.

Edmund: (Alarmed) I told you Lucy. I said that I could feel her presence;…�?that she was watching us. (Edmund returns to the window as the sound of the storm builds noticeably)

Lucy: (Concerned) You can’t be serious Susan! Surely there is some other explanation.

Edmund: Look! The storm is approaching fast. And what is that? It looks like a�?.a tornado. It is a tornado! And it’s heading right for us! (Spins towards the table to shelter along with his sisters) Quick girls! Under the table!

(Lights flicker. The sound of the wind grows and suddenly there is a blackout. Spotlight on mirror stage Left. Alice appears through the looking glass and approaches Centre stage where Dorothy lies unconscious.)

Alice: Are you alright! You’re not�?. (Dorothy awakens.) ……Oh! Thank god! Are you hurt? (Looks around dazed and confused) Where are we?

Dorothy: (Sitting up slowly and gazing around. Dazed.) Well, (Standing with some effort) …�? I guess we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto!

(Blackout)

Act 1. Scene 3. Scene: Front of Curtain

Enter Edmund, Reepercheep (Who is fencing with his rapier like a shadow boxer), and Caspian.

Edmund: Yes, it is true Caspian. Dorothy and Alice have confirmed the presence of the White Witch. It would seem that she has invaded Oz to seek the aid of the wicked Witch of the West, and Wonderland also, to gain the services of the Jabberwocky.

Caspian: Then it is apparent that she seeks revenge indeed.

Edmund: Reepercheep, have you summoned the friends of Narnia?

Reepercheep: (Swishing wildly with his rapier) Yes, your Highness. (Returning his weapon to its scabbard and dusting himself off) And the good people of Oz and Wonderland have joined with us. If the White Witch expects to win back Narnia, she will find herself facing a determined force indeed Sire.

Caspian: Excellent Reep! (Turning to Edmund) And how is Peter, Edmund? It is nearing his thirteenth birthday and his exclusion from Narnia commences the day he comes of age.

Edmund: He is well Caspian, but saddened by the fact that this will be his last journey to Narnia. As of Halloween, he will have to rely upon myself and his sisters to rule for him.

Caspian: There may not be anything left for you to rule.

Reepercheep: (Drawing his rapier aggressively) Upon my life good Sires, while I live and breathe, no harm will come to Narnia.

Edmund: (Taking Reep’s rapier and returning it to its scabbard) Reep! As always, your blood is stirred by the smell of a good fight.

Reepercheep: (Adjusting his hat and composing himself) Shaken Sire, not stirred!

(All Exit stage Right. Enter White Rabbit from stage Left.)

White Rabbit: (More distressed than ever) Oh, Dear! Oh, Dear! I’m so late, so late. (Talking directly to those in the front row) The last time I was late, she threatened to take off one of my feet. Oh, Dear! She says that a rabbit’s foot brings good luck. I don’t see how cutting off my foot could be in the least bit lucky. My goodness! How awful! I’d better hop to it ……………�?.while I still can.

(Exit stage right.)

Act 1. Scene 4. Scene: The Palace at Cair Paravel

(Curtain Up)

Lucy, Susan, Alice and Dorothy are Centre stage talking amongst themselves. Enter Peter, Tumnus, Eustace and Jill from stage Left. (Spot Stage Left. Tracking Light.))

Peter: (Obviously delighted) Susan! Lucy! How wonderful to see you here. But why have you come to Narnia? I told you that I would be home before my birthday. Is there something wrong?

Susan: (Gravely) Peter! We have come�? because there is great trouble at hand. The White Witch has returned. And Alice and Dorothy here have been drawn from their own stories into our world. The White Witch has taken the Wicked Witch of the West and the Jabberwocky as her allies and it would seem that she aims to retake Narnia.

( Spot Stage Right.)

Tumnus: Oh, my goodness Sire! This is absolutely dreadful! If the White Witch has returned, it will indeed make your last visit to Narnia less than pleasant.

Peter: That is an understatement Tumnus. Susan! Where is Edmund? Does he know?

Susan: Yes - he knows! He has gone to speak with Caspian and Reepercheep. We need to prepare quickly. ( Peter and Susan exit with Spot to Stage Left.Spot dims. Lucy to Stage Right.)

Lucy: Hello dear Tumnus. (Gives Tumnus a hug.)

Tumnus: (A little embarrassed) Lucy, my child. It is a delight to see you again. (Picking up tray from table) May I offer your Highness tea and cakes? And some for your friends perhaps.

Lucy: No thank-you Tumnus. We have only recently finished our afternoon tea at home. Both Dorothy and Alice were famished after their journeys to our world and we spent some time getting to know each other. (Linking arms with Tumnus and turning to the two girls.) Dorothy! Alice! (Centre Stage lights up. Tumnus and Lucy join Centre stage. Edmund to Stage Left, still in darkness) I would like you to meet my first and dearest friend in Narnia. I met him,�? as I said before, on my first visit here …�?when I entered through the wardrobe. Tumnus! This is Dorothy, �?.and this is Alice. (Curtseys, bows and handshakes all confused by Tumnus)

Tumnus: Girls! It is my great pleasure.

(Lights Down. Spot Left.)

Peter: And Edmund, Caspian and Reep are on their way here?

Susan: Yes. Edmund left as soon as the girls told us about the strange disappearances in Oz and Wonderland.

Eustace: It will be wonderful to catch up with Reep and Caspian.

Peter: I’m sure that it will Eustace. But there will be more important things to attend to than happy reunions. Come with me. We will meet them at the gates to Cair Paravel.

Eustace: I certainly hope that Reep remembered to bring his sword.

Peter: Are you kidding! It’s his American Express Card. He won’t leave home without it!

(Exit Peter and Eustace.) ( Full Lighting.)

Jill: Susan, it is a surprise to find you and Lucy here in Narnia. It is nice to see you again. Who are your new friends?

Susan: You’ll never believe it Jill. (Signaling for the others to approach.) Dorothy, Alice this is Jill - another friend of Narnia from the world of man. Jill, Dorothy is from Kansas and more recently Oz. Alice on the other hand is from Boston and has come to us directly from Wonderland.

Lucy: Isn’t it amazing Jill. They’ve come to us from storybooks to help us against the White Witch.

Jill: Why should I find it hard to believe. We are after all The Maids of Narnia, Lucy. And magic is a part of our everyday lives is it not?

(Curtain Down. Girls to front of Curtain. Soft Lighting Front of Stage)

Dorothy: Well back home in Kansas Jill, this sort of thing would more than likely have had a person locked away. If a person was to talk about it that is.

Alice: (To the audience.) I wish I were home. I’m having a pretty ordinary day really. First I chased a large White Rabbit who was prattling on about how late he was; then I fell through a hole in the ground and ended up in a place full of cards and other weirdoes, some of whom wanted to cut off my head. And then I walked through a looking glass into Lucy and Susan’s drawing room. Finally I was taken into a wardrobe and ended up here in this place. Now tell me! Is that the sort of day you’d like to have? I shouldn’t think so.

Susan: Alice! Alice! Do you recall seeing a rather strange queen while you were in Wonderland?

Alice: I certainly do. She wanted to chop off my head!

Susan: No. I don’t mean the Queen of Hearts who made the tarts. I mean, a rather stunning White Queen, the one who once held Narnia in eternal winter.

Alice: (Reflective) Well I do recall, just prior to escaping the Jabberwocky by going through the looking glass, that there was a strange reflection in the mirror. Someone tall and white approached the Jabberwocky and seemed to be leading it away. But I wasn’t prepared to stay around to see who it might be.

Jill/ Lucy: Dorothy saw her too.

Jill: She was flying away from Oz with the Wicked Witch of the West…�?/P>

Lucy: And that can only mean…�?/P>

Susan: That the three of them are on their way to Narnia�?.(All exit stage right, leaving Dorothy befuddled)

Dorothy: But girls, ……girls, perhaps they were simply looking for Toto. (Searching) Toto! Toto! Here boy, where are you?

(Exit. Stage Right)

Act 1. Scene 5. Scene: Front of Curtain

(Immediate Spotlight stage Left. Enter Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman)

Scarecrow: (Blankly) Where do you think we are?

Tinman: (Matter-of-factly) I have no idea. It seems safe enough though. At least we are out of that terrible tornado.

Scarecrow: I’m glad of that. That was almost the last straw. (Feeling his shoulder) Speaking of straw, has anyone seen my arm. I think it was blown off in the twister.

Lion: (Knowingly) I saw a horse make a grab for it just as the tornado picked us up.

Scarecrow: Well I hope he was hungry!

Tinman: He was. I told him that you’d give him a hand. I didn’t think you’d give him a whole arm.

Scarecrow: I didn’t hand it to him. He took it!

Tinman: Give me a look at that. (Examines empty sleeve.) You simply need restuffing.

Lion: Allow me. ( Lion touches Scarecrows arm and it magically reappears.)

Scarecrow: How did you do that? Are you a taxidermist or something.

Tinman: Even the Wizard of Oz couldn’t do that.

Lion: No. He couldn’t could he? But who is this?

(Enter White Rabbit, Stage Left.)

White Rabbit: Excuse me gentleman. Do any of you have the time? My watch seems to have stopped and I’m terribly late.

Scarecrow: I think it’s breakfast time. But nothing for me thank-you. I suddenly feel quite stuffed.

Tinman: It’s dawn. Look the sun rises in the east. ( Light grows stage right revealing the wardrobe.)

White Rabbit: Yes, Yes, man of steel! And Juliet is the sun. (Desperately) No, really! Doesn’t anyone have the time?

Lion: There! (Pointing to the wardrobe.) The time has come. We must leave. Follow me! (Lion enters wardrobe.)

Scarecrow: Leave? We just got here. (Yelling after the Lion) And we still don’t know where here is!

Tinman: Well, I’m for following the lion. ( Enters wardrobe.)

White Rabbit: (To audience front row) Doesn’t anybody have the time? You Sir? Madam? (Straightening his tie) Oh my! Miss�?I certainly hope that you have the time!

Scarecrow: (To the same person in the front row) I do apologise for my friend Miss. He is a Rabbit you know, and you know what will happen if he does find the time. Personally, I had the time myself a little while ago. I was wearing a watch when this horse grabbed my arm…�?/P>

White Rabbit: (Again addressing the lady in the audience) Excuse me my dear! (Pulling Scarecrow back) You mean, you were set upon by a horse?

Scarecrow: Well actually, I was set upon by a tornado. (Brushes himself down) The horse was simply in need of a hand.

White Rabbit: (Shaking his head) And you gave him your watch? ( Considers ) I think we should follow the lion.

Scarecrow: But he said that the time had come! (Searches aimlessly) It must be around here somewhere.

White Rabbit: Well, I’m for the wardrobe. ( Exit )

Scarecrow: That seems as good a place as any to start looking. Wait for me bunny! (Exits through wardrobe Spot tracking.)

(Blackout)

(Enter White Witch and Wicked Witch of the West through the looking glass.)

White Witch: They were here! Look! (Examining the table and noticing the remainders of afternoon tea.) They have all had tea and cake. Well let them eat cake. How charming? (Pointing towards the wardrobe) And there are your ruby slippers.You’ll have to get them yourself my dear. That wardrobe was made from the fruit of the tree planted by Aslan himself to ward off evil in Narnia. Even here in the world of man it saps my power and weakens me.

Witch of the West: My slippers! My slippers! (Putting them on) My lovely slippers! Now, where are those little monsters?

White Witch: No doubt, they have entered Narnia through the wardrobe. With the evidence of that pesky little Dorothy and that equally adorable Alice, they have pieced together our presence.

Witch of the West: Then we should follow without delay!

White Witch: We cannot enter Narnia through the wardrobe. Though it would indeed be safe enough for your good-self my dear, it would be the death of me I fear.

Witch of the West: How are we then, to get to Narnia dear Queen?

White Witch: We shall have to use the nephew’s rings, the tools first used by man to enter Narnia on the day of its birth. I have ordered the Jabberwocky to dig them up from their hiding place beneath the tree in the back garden. He doesn’t appear to be the gardening type though. (Reflectively) Although he does have green thumbs! But then again every little bit of him is green. No matter!

Witch of the West: Rings? How are rings to take us to this other kingdom?

White Witch: They are made from enchanted elements, and when two of these elements are united by the touching of these rings, they draw the wearer back to Narnia.

Witch of the West: I’d like to see you put a ring on the claws of that Jabberwocky! He is one mean looking lizard.

White Witch: Quite! And just the sort of sweetheart needed to win back Narnia from those painful children. Come! We must leave at once.

Witch of the West: (Upon catching the reflection in the mirror) Do you know? We look quite attractive in the reflection of that mirror.

White Witch: (Adjusting her hair and crown in the mirror) Well, one of us does deary…�?one of us does!

Act. 1 Scene. 7: Scene: Front of Curtain

(Enter Reepercheep (Again fencing like a shadow boxer), Edmund, Peter, Caspian and Eustace stage left. (Soft lighting fade in. Spot Out))

Reepercheep: News has arrived from Lantern Wastes Sires. The White Witch has entered Narnia and with her are another Witch and a great beast. (Continues to fence around the others)

Peter: As you predicted Caspian. There is little time. What news of the strangers from Oz?

Caspian: There has appeared a stranger dressed all in iron, a straw man and, (laughs) and a rather large pocket watch which was attached to a White Rabbit.

Edmund: That would be the Tinman and Scarecrow from Oz Peter.

Eustace: And the rabbit has to be the one that Alice followed into Wonderland.

Reepercheep: My sword would make quick work of the iron man’s gizzard.

Peter: At ease Reep. The Tinman is on our side. Save your sword for a target more worthy.

Reepercheep: (Ceasing his fencing, replacing his rapier and bowing) As you command Sire!

Eustace: Take it easy Reep. Remember when I was a dragon and you wanted to kill me?

Reepercheep: I do Sire. Much to my shame.

Eustace: Well you may soon have your chance to slay your dragon after all. The Jabberwocky is said to be of the race of dragons.

Reepercheep: (Once again drawing his sword) Then I beg the permission of all here present to lead the charge against this monster.

Peter: (Laughing) Good old Reep! Who in this world or any other would be brave enough to stand between you and your Jabberwocky?

Caspian: Yes Reepercheep! You’ll not have to knock me down to get to that reptile.

Edmund: Nor I!

Eustace: Sounds like he’s all yours Reep!

Reepercheep: Thank-you Sires! You honour me. (There is a flurry of steel and again the rapier is scabbarded)

Edmund: We must get back to the palace. It’s time for tea and we should talk with our storybook friends.

Peter: You’re right Edmund. They may know more than they think. (Laughing) I’m sure that that will be true of the Scarecrow …�?from what I remember of that story. (They all laugh. and exit stage Right.)

(Curtain Up)

Susan, Lucy, Jill and Alice are talking quietly with the White Rabbit (Who continues to fret over his missed appointment) at Stage Right. Dorothy is speaking with Tinman and Scarecrow in Centre Stage.

Scarecrow: Yes Dorothy. He went into the wardrobe first and we haven’t seen him since.

Dorothy: Well, that is strange indeed.

Tinman: He said, "The time has come. Follow me." And we did. But where could he be?

Scarecrow: I’ve been asking that question ever since that tornado took hold of us.

Tinman: Well I know where part of you is Scarecrow. Half way around the Campdown racetrack by now I’m sure. You were lucky that Lion�?.

Dorothy: Tinman, there is no need for that.

Scarecrow: (Thoughtful and nodding towards the Rabbit) Do you think that that Rabbit has something to do with Lion’s disappearance. Perhaps he lost Lion like he lost track of time?

Dorothy: I shouldn’t think so Scarecrow. But I do think that there is more to this than meets the eye.

Susan: Dorothy! The Rabbit has just told us that the Lion lead them into the wardrobe and has since disappeared.

Dorothy: It appears he has disappeared.

Lucy: The Rabbit also said that before he entered the wardrobe, the Lion said, "Follow me."

Tinman/Scarecrow: That’s right he did!

Tinman: But our Lion is not always easy to follow.

(Enter Peter, Edmund and Tumnus from Stage Left. Tumnus hugs Lucy before joining the visitors while Peter and Edmund speak with their sisters.)

Lucy: Peter, Edmund! The others from Oz and Wonderland have arrived.

Peter: We heard Lucy. And the White Witch has been spotted at the Stone Table along with her cohorts.

Jill: Are we ready to move against them Peter?

Peter: We are.

Susan: Peter, I must speak with you a moment.

Peter: What is it Susan?

Susan: Edmund! You also. Come here please!

Edmund: Susan?

Susan: Now listen carefully. Look at those who have arrived from Oz. There is the Tinman, the Scarecrow and of course Dorothy.

Edmund: Well, what is your point Susan?

Peter: I see her point Edmund,…�?The Lion is missing!

Susan: That’s right Peter. Don’t you see? The Lion is missing Edmund! And yet when they entered Narnia, the Scarecrow and the Tinman were asked by the Lion to Follow Him. He led them into the wardrobe. Even the Rabbit followed the Lion. Now what self-respecting Rabbit is going to find the courage to follow a Lion?

Edmund: You mean Aslan?

Susan: Of course, Aslan! He has come. He has returned to Narnia, just as he promised. Like the White Witch hiding in our world, Aslan has been keeping an eye on the world of Oz. And now he is back, just when we need him the most.

Scarecrow: Look everyone! Look what Tumnus has given me. (Shows everyone his new watch) I told him about losing my watch when the horse grabbed my arm, and he gave me a new watch. Look! Even the mouse has two arms.

Edmund: If you lost your arm, how is it that you still have it?

Scarecrow: Well just before he entered the wardrobe, Lion touched me and I was whole again.

Peter: Then there is no doubt. Aslan has returned. Who would have thought that he would come to us from Oz? I must have read that story a dozen times, and never did I consider that the Lion from Oz was Aslan himself.

(Enter Reepercheep, rapier held in salute in front of his face)

Reepercheep: Sires! All is ready! (Turning to Peter) We march to the Stone Table on your command your Highness. (Bows and then returns rapier to scabbard)

Peter: We leave at once!

(Exit Peter, Edmund, Reepercheep, Susan and Lucy.)

Scarecrow: (To audience.) Imagine that! A mouse using its arms to tell the time. And that one wields a sword no less!

Jill: You’d better not let Reepercheep hear you say that Scarecrow. He has been known to take the stuffing out of more than a straw filled Scarecrow in his time. (Scarecrow cowers behind White Rabbit)

White Rabbit: Time? What is the time? I’m late, as I think you are all aware.

Scarecrow, what time do you make it?

Scarecrow: (Laughs) I don’t make it at all! (Seriously) The little mouse makes it by pointing to the little numbers. See? He says it is 12 o’clock.

Tinman: High Noon! An appropriate time indeed for a showdown.

Jill: I think we should join the others. We will all be needed. Follow me!

White Rabbit: Oh, déjà vu! I wish people would stop saying follow me. Alice! Dorothy! Follow me!

(Exit Rabbit and Jill.)

Alice: Do you know Dorothy? I’ve spent a good deal of time following that Rabbit. And look where it’s leading. To a battle against two witches and a Jabberwocky.

Dorothy: I know what you mean. I was following a Yellow Brick Road and now I’m following that same path.

Tinman: I think we should go Scarecrow. We must help our friends. Especially Lion and Dorothy.

Scarecrow: You’re right of course. Do you like my watch?

Tinman: It looks fine.

Scarecrow: I wish I were the Rabbit!

Tinman: Why do you say that?

Scarecrow: Well! He has two Rabbit’s feet as well as two Rabbit arms. That’s got to be lucky. And I have the feeling that we will need all the luck we can get.

Tinman: What are you talking about? Luck? You started the day losing an arm. Then the Lion restored you, and then Tumnus gave you a watch with Reeepercheep on it and two extra hands into the bargain! What more do you need?

Scarecrow: To be honest Tinman, I don’t need luck at all. I just wish I could tell the time using this watch. The one I lost was digital!

Tinman: (Laughing) And I thought the Wizard gave you a brain!

Scarecrow: He did! It isn’t my fault that Tumnus gave me a new watch. Let’s go! I think we are late.

Tinman: Well at least you’re starting to sound like the Rabbit. Perhaps you are getting your wish after all. (Exit.) (Curatin Down)